Critical care product for neonatal calves

ABSTRACT

A product and method for treating dehydration in neonatal calves. The product is administered to dehydrated calves during treatment, to the exclusion of milk replacers or electrolytes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/702,406 filedNov. 6, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference and made a parthereof. This application also claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/477,827, filed Jun. 12, 2003, to whichApplicants claim the benefit of the earlier filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to calf raising and more particularly to a milkreplacer and electrolyte for herd replacement calves.

2. Description of the Related Art

This invention deals specifically with the problem of dehydration ofneonatal calves which can occur during transportation or in the courseof scouring (diarrhea). Management of the calf that is scouring withbacterial enteritis is a major challenge. Previous management strategieshave recommended removing milk from the scouring calf and feedingelectrolytes. The logic was based on field observations that fecaloutput and fluid losses were reduced when the milk was removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that milk replacer (MR) should continue to be fed with2-4 doses of electrolytes to provide enough energy and protein tomaintain some level of growth. In extreme cases of calf scours, wherethe manure is watery with the appearance of no solids for over 24-36hours, it has been believed that milk or MR should be removed and onlyelectrolytes fed. Removing the milk or MR removes the lactose that feedsthe bacteria and draws fluids into the gut, making scouring worse. Milkand MR also provide fat which may not be digested well in a scouringcalf.

Calves under a week of age are often dehydrated upon arrival. It hasbeen learned that better gains in health may be achieved in calves whenonly electrolytes are fed on arrival, as opposed to a milk replacer, aserum, plasma or whey product in all situations. A single effectiveproduct could eliminate the need to identify the severity of scouringbefore determining what management approach to take in the treatmentprotocol on a sick calf.

An objective of this product is to provide a source of nutrients to acalf

a) that will effectively rehydrate,

b) that provide for maintenance and growth, and

c) that are not antagonistic to rehydration.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a product,hereinafter referred to as the Critical Care® product, which is a milkreplacer and electrolyte for bovine mammals and more particularly, herdreplacement calves. The Critical Care® product is designed to be acomplete source of nutrients and electrolytes for dehydrated calves lessthan three months of age and being fed a diet that is predominately milkor milk replacer. The Critical Care® product is for use on calves whichhave been dehydrated through, for example, stress of transportation andupon arrival at their destination. A preferred dosage for a singlearriving calf in a newly dehydrated state is about 0.45 to 0.55 poundsof the Critical Care® product diluted in a total volume of about twoquarts using water at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (toaid in dissolving and administration) and is given by bottle, bucket ordrench. Once fed, neither milk nor milk replacer should be fed to thecalf for six hours or until the next scheduled feeding in a two timesper day feeding program.

The Critical Care® product can preferably be given to scouring calves inthe amount of about 0.45 to 0.55 pounds diluted in a total volume ofabout two quarts using about 100 degree Fahrenheit water by bottle,bucket or drench. Such feeding should be done a minimum of three timesduring a 24 hour period, as needed, based on physical signs ofdehydration and water loss. When manure consistency becomes firm(typically within 24 hours) feeding of the Critical Care® product may bediscontinued, and the calves returned to their normal feeding scheduleof milk or milk replacer. If the manure consistency is still loose(watery) the procedure should be repeated for another 24 hour period.The procedure may be again repeated as required. The calves are removedfrom their milk or milk replacer during their treatment by the CriticalCare® product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a label for a product made in accordancewith the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the Critical Care® productmay have an ingredient composition and nutrient profile as set forth inTable I below.

TABLE I Ingredient Percent Maltodextrin 39.80 Whey protein concentrate90% 16.55 Bicarbonate of soda 15.00 Dextrose 15.00 Potassium chloride5.00 Salt 2.60 Lecithin (emulsifier) 2.00 Zeolite (anticaking agent)1.00 L-lysine (amino acid) .83 Sodium saccharine (artificial sweetener).50 DL-methionine (amino acid) .39 Vitamin and trace mineral premix .34Sodium butyrate (flavor) .34 L-threonine (amino acid) .24 Artificialflavor .20 L-tryptophan (amino acid) .11 Microbial blend .10 NutrientAmount Crude protein, % 15.0 Calcium, % .3 Phosphorus, % .2 Salt, % 2.6Sodium, % 5.5 Chloride, % 4.1 Potassium, % 2.7 Selenium, ppm .2 VitaminA, IU/lb 23,400 Vitamin D, IU/lb 5,000 Vitamin E, IU/lb 100

The ingredients listed in Table I are added to a mixer, with thoseingredients comprising 10% or more being added first. The remainingsmaller inclusion rate ingredients are added last, excluding theartificial flavor and lecithin. The mixer is started and the artificialflavor is added, followed by lecithin. The combined ingredients arepackaged immediately after mixing. The package consists of a plasticliner filled with the product and tied with a twist-tie inside a sealedplastic pail. The finished package is marked with the trademark CRITICALCARE®. FIG. 1 depicts a typical label.

The Critical Care® product is rehydrated prior to being fed to calves.An alkalizing (i.e. bicarbonate of soda) agent is needed to correct themetabolic pH of the calf to allow efficient use of nutrients. Sodium(Na) and potassium (K) are needed as electrolytes to rehydrate. Na and Khave been lost from the calf during dehydration. A source of nutrients,like glucose or dextrans, is used to facilitate the transport of the Naand K from the gut into the bloodstream. Research in the public domainindicate that a composition of an effective electrolyte administeredorally should be approximately 50 to 70% glucose and/or dextrans, 12-18%bicarbonate of soda, 5-6% total Na, and 2.5-3.0% total K. Theproportions of these nutrients to each other in a product are important.The actual percent in the product is not. The Critical Care® productcontains approximately 54.8% dextrans, 15% bicarbonate of soda, 5.5% Na,and 2.7% K.

For rehydration approximately one quart of 100 degree Fahrenheit wateris added to a pail or bottle and about 0.5 pounds of The Critical Care®product is sprinkled on the surface of the water and mixed into thewater by vigorously stirring with a whisk or similar stirring device.Then the volume of the solution is increased to two quarts by addingmore 100 degree Fahrenheit water. This mixture is then fed to a calf bybucket or bottle. If the calf refuses to drink or is too weak to consumeit, it is administered by drenching.

The Critical Care® product is designed to be a complete source ofnutrients and electrolytes for dehydrated calves three months of age orless and being fed a diet that is predominately milk or milk replacer.As noted above, calf dehydration may be brought about by the stress oftransportation or by scouring. When the condition is brought about bytransportation, the Critical Care® product should be administered uponarrival of the calf at its destination. This treatment upon arrivalinvolves feeding about 0.5 pounds of the Critical Care® product in atotal volume of two quarts using 100 degree Fahrenheit water by bottle,bucket or drench. Neither milk nor milk replacer should be fed to thecalf for 6 hours or until the next scheduled feeding in a two times aday feeding program. In those cases where the dehydration results fromscouring (diarrhea) the calves should not be given their milk or milkreplacer for a period of 24 hours. Instead they should be fed about 0.5pounds of the Critical Care® product diluted in a total volume of twoquarts using 100 degree Fahrenheit water by bucket, bottle or drench aminimum of three times during the 24 hour period (administer one to twofeedings of the Critical Care® product within the 24 hour period, ifneeded, based upon physical signs of dehydration and water loss. Whenmanure consistency becomes firm (typically within 24 hours), discontinuefeeding the Critical Care® product and return calves to the normalfeeding schedule of milk or milk replacer. If the manure consistency isstill loose (watery) after 24 hours, repeat for another 24-hour periodthe administration of three or more doses of the Critical Care® productwithout feeding milk or milk replacer. Again, if the manure consistencyis still loose (watery) after the second 24-hour period, repeat foranother 24 hour the administration of three or more doses of teeCritical Care® product without feeding milk or milk replacer.

Crude protein and energy from carbohydrates and/or fat are needed formaintenance and growth. For example, cow's milk is approximately 22%crude protein, 26% fat, and 40% lactose (carbohydrate) on a dry basisand consumed/fed at approximately 1 lb of dry matter daily. In adehydrated calf, excessive lactose will serve to hold Na and K in thegut and counteract Na and K absorption into the bloodstream. It willeven serve to worsen dehydration by promoting scouring (excessive wateryfeces). Fat digestion is often very poor in a scouring calf and itsutilization for energy is inefficient. Dextrose and glucose, commonlyused energy sources in electrolytes, can also work like lactose tocreate a high gut osmolarity to hold Na and K in the gut and counteractNa and K absorption into the bloodstream. The Critical Care® productprovides crude protein via a milk protein source that is virtually freeof lactose and fat (whey protein concentrate 90%). The Critical Care®product contains limited dextrose (15%) and predominately maltodextrin(39.8%) as its sources of needed dextrans/carbohydrates. Maltodextranshave a much lower osmolarity than dextrose, glucose, and lactose. TheCritical Care® product contains no added fat other than the limited soyoil that is a part of the lecithin needed to emulsify the product. TheCritical Care® product contains less than about 1% lactose and less thanabout 1% fat. The three recommended doses of the Critical Care® productprovide a similar amount of protein (slightly more) and energy (slightlyless) as what the calf normally receives via milk.

Our research shows that the Critical Care® product is effective. Inshipped, dehydrated calves gains were better and medical treatments werelower (P<0.1) for calves fed the Critical Care® product verses atraditional electrolyte that provided a similar amount of bicarbonate ofsoda, Na and K as the Critical Care® product provided. The P value is astatistical probability indicating that these differences between thetwo treatments are less than 0.1 or less than 10% likely to occur due tochance (or greater than 90% due to the experimental treatment of usingthe Critical Care® product instead of the traditional electrolyte). TheSEM (standard error of the mean) were low in these trials compared tosimilar research published in the literature using calves from a fewdays old up to 3 months of age, indicating good experimental control ofthe trials. The low P values and low SEM's give us excellent confidencein the experimental data.

The effectivity of the Critical Care® product, administered as describedabove has been demonstrated by four research trials involving 200 calvesunder a week of age. The results of Trials 1-4 are summarized in TablesII-V. These four trials were based upon the hypothesis that dehydratedcalves need electrolytes and water first, a rapid source of energysecond, and protein third. Two nutrient profiles typical of the U.S.market and a combination of milk protein concentrate (90% protein, ˜1%lactose) and electrolytes were formulated to evaluate this hypothesis.

Feeding high lactose feeds could pull water into the gut and high fatfeeds may be poorly digested in starved calves, increasing scouring. Theassigned treatments were diluted to about 1.9 liters of volume with warmwater and fed the afternoon of arrival only and were: A) 113 g ofelectrolyte A, B 113 g of electrolyte B, C) 226 g of a combination ofelectrolyte B with milk protein. Treatment A was fed only in trial 1

Calves arrived after a 10-hour transport. Treatments were administeredbetween 1600 and 1700 hours on the day of arrival and free-choice waterwas offered in pails. The following morning calves were fed MR andoffered starter. Calves were housed in individual pens bedded withstraw. Calves had access to clean fresh water and dry starter feed (with0.0025% decoquinate) at all times. Milk replacers (with 0.005%decoquinate) were fed twice daily. The nursery was naturally ventilatedwith no heat. Starter feed offered and refused was weighed daily. Feceswere scored daily using a 1 to 5 scale with 1 being normal and 5 beingwatery. Medical treatments were recorded daily. Calves were weighedon-arrival (in Trial 1 only), 21 hours later (used as our initial weightand to calculate gains), and weekly, thereafter. Body condition score (1being thin and 5 being obese) and hip widths were measured initially andat 6 and 7 weeks. Calves were weaned at 6 weeks. Data from trials 3 and4 were analyzed as a completely randomized design (block was row in thebarn).

Initial calf body weight averaged 41 to 43 kg in the 4 trials. For Trial1, the initial 21-hour weight change was greatest (P<0.1) for calvesoffered treatment C (1,005 g, 1,284 g, 2,088 g for treatments A, B, C,respectively). Cumulative daily gains were greatest (P<0.05) for calvesfed treatment C for all weeks. Weekly gains were greatest (P<0.1) forcalves fed treatment C for weeks 1, 5, and 7 and numerically greater forcalves fed treatment C each week except weeks 2 and 8. Starter intakedid not differ with treatment but appeared numerically greater forcalves fed treatment C. Cumulative feed efficiency was best (P<0.05) forcalves fed treatment C for weeks 3 to 8. Cumulative medical days andfecal scores tended to favor calves fed treatment C. Cumulative medicaldays were significantly lower (P<0.1) for calves fed treatment C byweeks 7 and 8. There were no differences (P>0.1) between treatment A andB.

In trial 2, cumulative daily gains (P<0.01) and starter intake (P<0.1)were greatest for calves fed treatment C for all weeks. Cumulative feedefficiency was best for calves fed treatment C in weeks 5 through 8(P<0.05). Cumulative body condition score change and hip width changewere greatest (P<0.06) for calves fed treatment C through 6 and 8 weeks,respectively. There were few differences in fecal scores and medicaltreatments; however, cumulative weekly medical days over the entire 8weeks were lowest (P<0.05) for calves fed treatment C.

In trial 3, daily gains were greatest (P<0.01) for calves fed treatmentC during the first week of the trial and tended (P>0.1) to favor calvesfed treatment C for all weeks. Cumulative feed efficiency was best forcalves fed treatment C in weeks 5 through 8 (P<0.08). Cumulative fecalscore and cumulative abnormal fecal scores were best (P<0.1) for calvesfed treatment B for all weeks.

In trial 4, cumulative daily gains were greatest (P<0.1) for calves fedtreatment C during the first 3 weeks of the trial and tended (P>0.1) tofavor calves fed treatment C for all weeks. There were littledifferences in medical treatments or fecal scores between treatments.

Feeding treatment C on-arrival, improved calf gains in the first week ofall trials and improved cumulative gains for all weeks in trials 1 and2. This was the trend for trials 3 and 4, as well. Cumulative feedefficiency was improved in weeks 5 through 8 in trials 1, 2, and 3.

Over the course of 4 research trials 16 calves with watery scours wererandomly treated with either 1) an effective electrolyte or 2) theCritical Care® product, which is a milk protein combined withelectrolytes without lactose or fat. Watery scours were quantified usinga fecal scoring system with a scale of 1 to 5. A fecal score of 1 wasnormal, firm manure. A fecal score of 4 or 5 was watery with some to nosolid material visible. The calves used in the research had beentransported from 10 hours away. In these trials, as in most of ourtrials, many of the calves developed bacterial scours by the 7th dayafter arrival. In these trials, the calves with severe scours weretreated with electrolytes and antibiotics during the week after arrival.Calves were weighed on arrival and weekly thereafter. Scour scores andmedical treatments were recorded daily. A treatment protocol outlined bya consulting veterinarian was followed which included the three doses ofelectrolytes daily for calves with fecal scores over 4 and antibioticsuntil fecal scores improved to less than a score of 3. Calves assignedto the electrolyte treatment received three doses of electrolyte alongwith their MR feedings. Calves assigned to the Critical Care® producttreatment received 3 doses of the Critical Care® product and did notreceive their MR that day. All of the calves received a common 20% allmilk protein, 20% fat MR containing 0.005% decoquinate and a common 18%protein starter containing 0.0025% decoquinate. Data were analyzed as acompletely randomized block design (block was trial).

Data for the scouring calves are summarized in Tables VI and VII. Dailygain, fecal scores, and antibiotic treatments for both treatment groupswere similar in week 1. Daily gains during week 2 were greater (P<0.10)for calves fed the Critical Care® product vs. the electrolyte group.Similarly, the improvement in fecal score from week 1 to week 2 wastwice as great (P<0.10) for calves treated with the Critical Care®product compared to the calves treated with the electrolyte. Six of theeight calves in the electrolyte treatment group required antibiotictreatments during week two (average 2.25 treatments per calf) comparedto (P<0.02) only two of the eight calves in the Critical Care® producttreatment group (averaged 0.25 treatments per calf). Four of the eightcalves in the electrolyte group required a second day of threeelectrolyte doses because the severe scouring persisted compared to(P<0.01) none of the calves in the Critical Care® product group (4.5 vs3.0 doses).

Feeding calves 3 doses of the Critical Care® product and removing theirMR for 1 day resulted in similar to better performance and fewerantibiotic and electrolyte treatments than feeding 3 doses of a goodquality electrolyte with MR.

TABLE VI Means for various measurements after scouring (diarrhea) calveswere fed an electrolyte or the Critical Care ® product Critical Elec-Care ® P trolyte product SEM Value Initial body weight, kg 42.7 40.3 3.80.45 Week 1 Daily Gain, g −28.6 −53.1 65.7 0.80 Week 2 Daily Gain, g−37.7 89.0 47.9 0.10 Average of Week 1 and 2 Daily Gain, −33.1 17.7 54.50.53 Week 2 minus Week 1 Daily Gain, g −9.1 142.1 37.0 0.02 Week 1 FecalScore 2.65 2.78 0.0758 0.26 Week 2 Fecal Score 2.37 2.17 0.1516 0.38Average of Week 1 and 2 Fecal 2.51 2.48 0.1022 0.86 Score Week 2 minusWeek 1 Fecal Score −0.29 −0.61 0.1258 0.10 Week 1 Antibiotic Treatments4.63 4.25 0.2517 0.32 Week 2 Antibiotic Treatments 2.25 0.25 0.4640 0.02Total Antibiotic Treatments 6.88 4.50 0.6776 0.04 Total ElectrolyteTreatments 4.5 3.0 0.3333 0.01

TABLE VII Daily gains (g) of calves fed the Critical Care ® product (TrtC) or two common electrolytes (Trt A and B) on arrival after a 10-hourshipment during three subsequent time periods in four trials. Trial 1 23 4 Weeks Trt A Trt B Trt C Trt B Trt C Trt B Trt C Trt B Trt C 0-1 −99−101 154^(a) −189 135^(a) −25  147^(a) 91  278^(a) 0-6 381 400 467^(a)301 426^(a) 379 402 411 430 0-8 476 518 579^(a) 422 551^(a) 502 543 522532 ^(a)Treatment C was greater than treatments A and/or B (P < .05)within specific trial and period. (Treatment—Trt)

Research is continuing in the evaluation of the Critical Care® product.This continuing research has been conducted upon transported, dehydratedcalves that typically have not yet been attacked by the bacteria orvirus. This research model is good to use since it does not complicatethe experiment with the challenge of the bacteria or virus. The abilityof the product to rehydrate and promote growth is tested and theconfounded factors of how long the attacking bacteria or virus has notbeen present.

Tables II-V:

TABLE II LS Treatment means by week for calves fed three differentinitial electrolytes in Trial 1. C) MP/ P- A) Elec A B) Elec B Elec BSEM Value^(a) Weight gain from arrival to initial weighing, g 21 hourperiod 1,005.12 1,284.34 2,088.19 104 0.0987 Average daily gain, g 1−99.23 −101.97 154.31 37.1 0.0000 2 115.43 0.68 77.76 57.4 0.3258 3412.70 505.78 529.34 58.9 0.3376 4 579.55 575.70 598.19 54.5 0.9503 5622.08 718.26 734.67 35.6 0.0607 6 659.75 702.91 711.99 46.5 0.6957 7602.24 777.26 933.53 98.6 0.0690 8 921.38 968.59 898.70 71.1 0.7584Average daily gain cumulative, g 1 −99.23 −101.97 154.31 37.1 0.0000 28.10 −50.65 116.03 34.7 0.0036 3 142.97 134.83 253.80 32.7 0.0193 4252.11 245.05 339.90 24.0 0.0104 5 326.11 339.69 418.85 22.1 0.0090 6381.71 400.23 467.71 22.3 0.0211 7 413.22 454.09 534.25 28.6 0.0141 8476.74 518.40 579.81 27.7 0.0381 Average daily starter intakecumulative, g 1 28.01 16.21 30.96 6.45 0.2064 2 61.41 48.86 66.57 11.10.4783 3 105.58 100.87 119.90 13.9 0.5859 4 178.19 179.77 195.33 18.20.7584 5 270.10 283.94 305.11 22.5 0.5449 6 372.03 398.54 425.19 26.40.3696 7 529.16 580.46 620.34 33.6 0.1681 8 723.28 778.32 819.44 40.20.2470 Weekly starter intake, g 1 196.06 113.47 216.69 45.1 0.2064 2663.69 570.58 715.31 120 0.6644 3 1,357.38 1,434.21 1,586.00 172 0.63564 2,772.19 2,915.42 2,951.31 256 0.8710 5 4,464.25 4,904.26 5,209.50 3130.2484 6 6,171.56 6,800.58 7,179.19 383 0.1807 7 10,303.69 11,703.9512,538.88 635 0.0508 8 14,574.75 15,143.53 15,492.00 712 0.6571 Starterintake cumulative, g 1 196.06 113.47 216.69 45.1 0.2064 2 859.75 684.05932.00 155 0.4783 3 2,217.13 2,118.26 2,518.00 291 0.5859 4 4,989.315,033.68 5,469.31 508 0.7584 5 9,453.56 9,937.95 10,678.81 788 0.5449 615,625.13 16,738.53 17,858.00 1107 0.3696 7 25,928.81 28,442.4730,396.88 1647 0.1681 8 40,503.56 43,586.00 45,888.88 2253 0.2470 Feedefficiency cumulative (Starter and Milk Replacer/Gain) 1 5.84 −1.72 0.315.40 0.5694 2 3.75 1.81 −0.76 4.62 0.7809 3 32.00 −13.07 2.28 12.50.0347 4 2.78 3.06 1.78 0.27 0.0026 5 2.33 2.27 1.67 0.11 0.0001 6 2.212.17 1.75 0.09 0.0007 7 2.43 2.18 1.86 0.14 0.0240 8 2.30 2.18 2.00 0.080.0341 Weekly medical days 1 4.06 4.11 3.69 0.19 0.2340 2 0.44 0.79 0.500.19 0.3366 3 0.44 0.37 0.13 0.19 0.4804 4 0.56 0.47 0.06 0.25 0.3355 51.06 0.47 0.50 0.22 0.1081 6 0.63 0.58 0.38 0.22 0.6849 7 0.75 0.42 0.000.19 0.0263 8 0.19 0.11 0.25 0.14 0.7486 Fecal score (1 = normal, 5 =watery) 1 2.77 2.72 2.73 0.05 0.7932 2 2.29 2.37 2.17 0.07 0.1104 3 1.961.92 1.87 0.08 0.7590 4 1.81 1.75 1.63 0.07 0.1920 5 1.63 1.47 1.41 0.100.2729 6 1.42 1.35 1.31 0.08 0.6579 7 1.37 1.40 1.21 0.08 0.2058 8 1.181.34 1.23 0.08 0.3214 Weekly medical days cumulative 1 4.06 4.11 3.690.19 0.2340 2 4.50 4.89 4.19 0.29 0.2038 3 4.94 5.26 4.31 0.41 0.2344 45.50 5.74 4.38 0.49 0.1141 5 6.56 6.21 4.88 0.58 0.1017 6 7.19 6.79 5.250.69 0.1170 7 7.94 7.21 5.25 0.74 0.0375 8 8.13 7.32 5.50 0.78 0.0608Fecal score cumulative (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 1 2.77 2.72 2.73 0.050.7932 2 2.53 2.55 2.45 0.05 0.3325 3 2.34 2.34 2.26 0.05 0.4543 4 2.212.19 2.10 0.05 0.2770 5 2.09 2.05 1.96 0.05 0.2249 6 1.98 1.93 1.85 0.050.2369 7 1.89 1.85 1.76 0.05 0.1558 8 1.80 1.79 1.70 0.04 0.1721 Totalabnormal fecal scores (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.50 6.53 6.38 0.180.8076 2 3.44 4.58 3.06 0.49 0.0683 3 1.00 1.21 1.13 0.38 0.9185 4 0.810.53 0.56 0.21 0.5786 5 0.75 0.21 0.13 0.19 0.0489 6 0.31 0.21 0.19 0.130.7688 7 0.56 0.47 0.31 0.23 0.7360 8 0.13 0.68 0.13 0.23 0.1275 Totalabnormal fecal scores cumulative (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.50 6.536.38 0.18 0.8076 2 9.94 11.11 9.44 0.53 0.0630 3 10.94 12.32 10.56 0.750.1924 4 11.75 12.84 11.13 0.87 0.3386 5 12.50 13.05 11.25 0.95 0.3719 612.81 13.26 11.44 1.00 0.3910 7 13.38 13.74 11.75 1.06 0.3611 8 13.5014.42 11.88 1.10 0.2410 Body condition score changes (1 = thin, 5 =obese) Initial Score 2.09 2.13 2.15 0.04 0.5514 Change 0 to 2 wk −0.09−0.18 −0.10 0.04 0.2022 Change 0 to 4 wk 0.13 −0.01 0.14 0.04 0.0136Change 0 to 6 wk 0.22 0.18 0.21 0.05 0.8567 Change 0 to 8 wk 0.39 0.410.40 0.06 0.9741 Change 2 to 4 wk 0.22 0.17 0.25 0.04 0.3837 Change 4 to6 wk 0.09 0.20 0.07 0.05 0.1977 Change 6 to 8 wk 0.17 0.22 0.18 0.060.7787 Hip width changes, cm Initial Width 17.30 17.36 17.20 0.19 0.8467Change 0 to 2 wk 0.28 0.30 0.47 0.09 0.2992 Change 0 to 4 wk 0.80 0.781.14 0.11 0.0461 Change 0 to 6 wk 2.36 2.28 2.69 0.17 0.1760 Change 0 to8 wk 3.63 3.89 4.56 0.22 0.0120 Change 2 to 4 wk 0.52 0.47 0.67 0.090.2340 Change 4 to 6 wk 1.56 1.50 1.55 0.10 0.8898 Change 6 to 8 wk 1.271.62 1.88 0.12 0.0034 ^(a)When P Values were lower than .1, treatment Cwas different than treatments A and B.

TABLE III B) Elec B C) Elec C SEM P-Value ^(a) LS Treatment means byweek for calves fed two different electrolytes in Trial. Average dailygain, g 1 −189.46 135.00 56.1 0.0002 2 201.22 328.84 32.6 0.0081 3304.15 310.85 35.7 0.8924 4 459.31 566.47 47.1 0.1111 5 583.64 736.9345.4 0.0207 6 451.63 479.63 49.5 0.6869 7 720.55 804.62 58.5 0.3088 8853.04 1,043.56 111 0.2150 Average daily gain cumulative, g 1 −189.46135.00 56.1 0.0002 2 5.88 231.92 38.1 0.0001 3 104.89 258.50 31.0 0.00114 193.50 335.49 29.1 0.0013 5 271.53 415.78 28.7 0.0010 6 301.54 426.4228.7 0.0036 7 361.40 480.45 29.1 0.0058 8 422.97 551.08 30.0 0.0042Cumulative average daily starter intake, g 1 35.81 63.01 10.4 0.0672 292.06 142.09 16.9 0.0411 3 165.82 217.10 21.6 0.0966 4 246.82 311.0325.3 0.0771 5 336.41 418.21 29.3 0.0523 6 421.92 510.26 33.8 0.0688 7586.17 687.48 39.5 0.0737 8 741.19 869.42 45.3 0.0495 Weekly starterintake, g 1 250.69 441.08 72.8 0.0672 2 1,039.28 1,546.12 180 0.0507 32,193.45 2,569.91 236 0.2590 4 3,428.77 4,149.73 295 0.0883 5 4,863.235,928.55 374 0.0481 6 5,946.32 6,793.54 446 0.1812 7 11,001.71 12,255.80582 0.1305 8 12,786.72 14,996.30 738 0.0383 LS Treatment means by weekfor calves fed two different electrolytes in Trial 2 (cont.). Starterintake cumulative, g 1 250.69 441.08 72.8 0.0672 2 1,288.81 1,989.19 2370.0411 3 3,482.26 4,559.10 453 0.0966 4 6,911.03 8,708.83 709 0.0771 511,774.26 14,637.38 1024 0.0523 6 17,720.58 21,430.92 1419 0.0688 728,722.29 33,686.72 1934 0.0737 8 41,506.90 48,687.49 2535 0.0495 Feedefficiency cumulative (Starter and Milk Replacer/Gain) 1 3.96 2.75 4.370.8422 2 0.73 3.30 1.79 0.3106 3 5.07 3.61 5.52 0.8480 4 7.00 2.74 1.140.0108 5 3.48 2.29 0.26 0.0026 6 3.13 2.47 0.17 0.0092 7 2.79 2.39 0.110.0113 8 2.61 2.33 0.10 0.0454 Weekly medical days 1 3.92 3.65 0.200.3463 2 0.70 0.74 0.33 0.9247 3 0.99 0.76 0.30 0.5903 4 0.22 0.21 0.130.9383 5 1.02 0.33 0.24 0.0496 6 0.75 0.63 0.31 0.7801 7 0.34 0.36 0.140.9251 8 1.37 0.38 0.47 0.1287 Fecal score (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 12.71 2.69 0.07 0.8731 2 2.48 2.39 0.05 0.1772 3 1.99 2.02 0.05 0.7490 41.54 1.81 0.17 0.2377 5 1.46 1.55 0.11 0.5511 6 1.31 1.30 0.09 0.9420 71.21 1.38 0.08 0.1370 8 1.16 1.33 0.07 0.0713 Weekly medical dayscumulative 1 3.92 3.65 0.20 0.3463 2 4.64 4.37 0.28 0.5015 3 5.63 5.130.37 0.3357 4 5.85 5.34 0.39 0.3495 5 6.87 5.67 0.48 0.0822 6 7.62 6.310.70 0.1825 7 7.97 6.66 0.68 0.1725 8 9.37 7.01 0.70 0.0212 Fecal scorecumulative (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 1 2.71 2.69 0.07 0.8731 2 2.59 2.540.05 0.4322 3 2.39 2.37 0.04 0.6515 4 2.19 2.22 0.07 0.7097 5 2.04 2.090.07 0.6751 6 1.92 1.96 0.07 0.7181 7 1.82 1.87 0.06 0.4842 8 1.73 1.810.05 0.3423 Total abnormal fecal scores (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.256.47 0.16 0.3324 2 5.29 4.53 0.35 0.1235 3 1.21 1.43 0.38 0.6684 4 0.621.17 0.49 0.4137 5 0.46 0.80 0.37 0.5130 6 0.21 0.34 0.22 0.6579 7 0.090.57 0.15 0.0263 8 0.20 0.22 0.14 0.9161 Total abnormal fecal scorescumulative (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.25 6.47 0.16 0.3324 2 11.5311.00 0.43 0.3703 3 12.74 12.43 0.68 0.7413 4 13.37 13.58 0.87 0.8615 513.78 14.43 1.05 0.6584 6 13.98 14.77 1.18 0.6334 7 14.08 15.34 1.190.4487 8 14.28 15.56 1.19 0.4435 Body condition score changes (1 = thin,5 = obese) Initial 2.07 1.98 0.05 0.1431 Score Change 0 −0.14 −0.00 0.050.0484 to 2 wk Change 0 −0.15 −0.01 0.05 0.0464 to 4 wk Change 0 0.070.26 0.07 0.0596 to 6 wk Change 0 0.41 0.53 0.09 0.3437 to 8 wk Change 2−0.01 −0.01 0.03 0.9513 to 4 wk Change 4 0.21 0.27 0.05 0.4161 to 6 wkChange 6 0.36 0.24 0.09 0.3287 to 8 wk Hip width changes, cm Initial17.71 17.34 0.21 0.2027 Width Change 0 0.01 0.50 0.10 0.0017 to 2 wkChange 0 0.74 1.45 0.12 0.0001 to 4 wk Change 0 1.83 2.79 0.19 0.0006 to6 wk Change 0 3.08 4.20 0.22 0.0009 to 8 wk Change 2 0.73 0.95 0.090.0849 to 4 wk Change 4 1.09 1.34 0.14 0.2159 to 6 wk Change 6 1.26 1.400.13 0.4445 to 8 wk ^(a) When P Values were lower than .1, treatment Cwas different than treatments A and B.

TABLE IV LS Treatment means by week for calves fed two differentelectrolytes in Trial 3. B) Elec B C) Elec C SEM P-Value ^(a) Averagedaily gain, g 1 −25.89 147.46 46.4 0.0095 2 205.50 124.83 35.8 0.1076 3426.52 415.24 33.7 0.8075 4 515.62 471.97 41.8 0.4486 5 573.91 635.4142.4 0.2951 6 582.96 617.47 46.0 0.5858 7 811.65 853.23 54.7 0.5806 8927.45 1,080.02 61.8 0.0788 Average daily gain cumulative, g 1 −25.89147.46 46.4 0.0095 2 89.80 136.15 30.5 0.2724 3 202.04 229.18 24.10.4143 4 280.44 289.87 22.3 0.7579 5 339.13 358.98 20.6 0.4853 6 379.77402.06 21.3 0.4486 7 441.47 466.52 24.0 0.4487 8 502.21 543.20 24.90.2352 Cumulative average daily starter intake, g 1 36.41 23.68 7.020.1924 2 107.62 73.85 13.6 0.0772 3 191.37 149.13 17.6 0.0876 4 276.31237.72 21.5 0.1957 5 361.83 327.16 24.0 0.2964 6 455.65 425.99 27.30.4307 7 628.20 609.92 33.1 0.6882 8 811.65 806.99 39.5 0.9316 Weeklystarter intake, g 1 254.85 165.75 49.2 0.1924 2 1,251.78 868.11 1470.0639 3 2,512.24 2,097.93 209 0.1557 4 3,717.94 3,524.42 277 0.6123 54,927.25 4,794.40 328 0.7685 6 6,473.23 6,441.07 375 0.9503 7 11,644.3511,994.38 574 0.6577 8 14,670.71 15,305.60 688 0.5029 Starter intakecumulative, g 1 254.85 165.75 49.2 0.1924 2 1,506.63 1,033.85 191 0.07723 4,018.87 3,131.78 370 0.0876 4 7,736.80 6,656.20 601 0.1957 512,664.06 11,450.59 839 0.2964 6 19,137.29 17,891.66 1145 0.4307 730,781.64 29,886.04 1622 0.6882 8 45,452.35 45,191.64 2212 0.9316 Feedefficiency cumulative (Starter and Milk Replacer/Gain) 1 −1.74 −1.592.70 0.9673 2 10.75 1.47 4.19 0.1129 3 3.34 3.01 0.32 0.4415 4 2.55 2.420.14 0.5083 5 2.32 2.12 0.08 0.0658 6 2.30 2.12 0.07 0.0628 7 2.29 2.130.06 0.0484 8 2.31 2.12 0.05 0.0093 Weekly medical days 1 4.27 4.89 0.180.0189 2 0.60 1.17 0.27 0.1331 3 0.63 1.00 0.32 0.4177 4 0.60 0.13 0.190.0712 5 0.75 0.43 0.22 0.2862 6 0.38 0.27 0.20 0.6887 7 0.28 0.18 0.160.6854 8 0.23 0.45 0.18 0.3646 Fecal score (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 12.41 2.51 0.04 0.0593 2 1.88 2.06 0.08 0.1081 3 1.49 1.60 0.08 0.3071 41.14 1.19 0.05 0.4283 5 1.15 1.11 0.06 0.6539 6 1.12 1.19 0.06 0.3421 71.08 1.21 0.05 0.0816 8 1.16 1.18 0.07 0.8054 Weekly medical dayscumulative 1 4.27 4.89 0.18 0.0189 2 4.88 6.05 0.37 0.0261 3 5.51 7.050.50 0.0296 4 6.11 7.18 0.55 0.1642 5 6.86 7.61 0.57 0.3460 6 7.24 7.880.63 0.4622 7 7.51 8.06 0.67 0.5552 8 7.74 8.51 0.75 0.4555 Fecal scorecumulative (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 1 2.41 2.51 0.04 0.0593 2 2.14 2.290.05 0.0293 3 1.92 2.06 0.05 0.0415 4 1.73 1.84 0.04 0.0428 5 1.61 1.700.04 0.0976 6 1.53 1.61 0.04 0.0930 7 1.46 1.55 0.03 0.0601 8 1.43 1.510.03 0.0544 Total abnormal fecal scores (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 4.135.18 0.33 0.0242 2 1.53 2.75 0.47 0.0671 3 0.75 0.97 0.32 0.6094 4 0.140.26 0.15 0.5620 5 0.34 0.13 0.16 0.3423 6 0.21 0.20 0.14 0.9848 7 0.000.00 — — 8 0.10 0.07 0.09 0.8244 Total abnormal fecal scores cumulative(abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 4.13 5.18 0.33 0.0242 2 5.66 7.93 0.600.0091 3 6.40 8.89 0.75 0.0207 4 6.55 9.15 0.82 0.0257 5 6.89 9.28 0.900.0585 6 7.10 9.49 0.94 0.0709 7 7.10 9.49 0.94 0.0709 8 7.20 9.56 0.930.0710 Body condition score changes (1 = thin, 5 = obese) Initial 2.072.04 0.05 0.6504 Score Change 0 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.9544 to 2 wk Change 00.18 0.29 0.05 0.1375 to 4 wk Change 0 0.40 0.49 0.05 0.2061 to 6 wkChange 0 0.62 0.69 0.05 0.3832 to 8 wk Change 2 0.10 0.21 0.05 0.0913 to4 wk Change 4 0.22 0.20 0.04 0.7238 to 6 wk Change 6 0.22 0.20 0.030.5524 to 8 wk Hip width changes, cm Initial Width 17.75 17.51 0.220.4372 Change 0 0.45 0.61 0.10 0.2489 to 2 wk Change 0 1.26 1.31 0.110.7208 to 4 wk Change 0 2.30 2.54 0.14 0.2174 to 6 Wk Change 0 3.98 4.050.17 0.7496 to 8 wk Change 2 0.81 0.70 0.09 0.3947 to 4 wk Change 4 1.041.23 0.09 0.1491 to 6 wk Change 6 1.67 1.51 0.10 0.2491 to 8 wk ^(a)When P Values were lower than .1, treatment C was different thantreatments A and B.

TABLE V LS Treatment means by week for calves fed two differentelectrolytes in Trial 4. B) Elec B C) Elec C SEM P-Value^(a) Averagedaily gain, g 1 91.74 278.94 39.7 0.0016 2 230.32 178.41 35.1 0.2979 3377.07 398.99 27.0 0.5659 4 548.26 538.66 40.6 0.8670 5 640.28 655.3040.6 0.7936 6 582.43 534.16 39.5 0.3893 7 658.42 661.42 55.8 0.9696 81,049.46 1,015.41 68.2 0.7239 Average daily gain cumulative, g 1 91.74278.94 39.7 0.0016 2 161.03 228.68 23.9 0.0499 3 233.04 285.45 20.50.0750 4 311.85 348.75 21.6 0.2311 5 377.53 410.06 23.1 0.3225 6 411.68430.74 23.3 0.5636 7 446.93 463.70 24.1 0.6235 8 522.25 532.66 24.90.7678 Average daily starter intake cumulative, g 1 31.49 30.51 6.320.9132 2 91.55 86.27 11.9 0.7534 3 172.63 161.98 16.7 0.6526 4 247.04246.46 22.4 0.9855 5 329.69 332.13 27.9 0.9506 6 416.81 411.80 32.60.9133 7 572.62 557.78 39.9 0.7922 8 742.70 728.39 46.0 0.8260 Weeklystarter intake, g 1 220.41 213.59 44.2 0.9132 2 1,061.28 994.18 1310.7169 3 2,343.58 2,193.83 195 0.5875 4 3,291.82 3,499.41 300 0.6253 54,622.24 4,723.68 383 0.8514 6 5,966.73 5,670.92 446 0.6390 7 10,552.5010,035.72 647 0.5724 8 13,532.45 13,458.68 708 0.9412 Starter intakecumulative, g 1 220.41 213.59 44.2 0.9132 2 1,281.69 1,207.77 166 0.75343 3,625.27 3,401.60 351 0.6526 4 6,917.09 6,901.01 627 0.9855 511,539.32 11,624.69 975 0.9506 6 17,506.06 17,295.61 1368 0.9133 728,058.55 27,331.33 1953 0.7922 8 41,591.01 40,790.01 2579 0.8260 Feedefficiency cumulative (Starter and Milk Replacer/Gain) 1 4.87 1.35 2.710.3589 2 2.46 1.42 0.90 0.4139 3 3.60 2.48 0.48 0.1090 4 2.43 2.22 0.160.3711 5 2.18 2.03 0.10 0.3208 6 2.15 2.07 0.08 0.5109 7 2.18 2.08 0.070.2861 8 2.09 2.02 0.06 0.4277 Weekly medical days 1 5.00 4.96 0.170.8699 2 0.27 0.41 0.18 0.5541 3 0.18 0.10 0.10 0.5918 4 0.54 0.04 0.150.0246 5 1.49 0.65 0.25 0.0208 6 0.11 0.41 0.14 0.1223 7 0.78 0.70 0.210.7705 8 0.23 0.13 0.10 0.4600 Fecal score (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 12.67 2.72 0.05 0.5186 2 2.24 2.20 0.05 0.6436 3 1.84 1.70 0.08 0.2246 41.65 1.57 0.10 0.6160 5 1.60 1.61 0.09 0.9313 6 1.12 1.13 0.03 0.8813 71.25 1.40 0.07 0.1385 8 1.20 1.18 0.05 0.7580 Weekly medical dayscumulative 1 5.00 4.96 0.17 0.8699 2 5.27 5.37 0.19 0.6914 3 5.44 5.480.23 0.9127 4 5.98 5.52 0.26 0.2045 5 7.47 6.17 0.41 0.0270 6 7.58 6.580.44 0.1117 7 8.37 7.28 0.51 0.1381 8 8.60 7.41 0.51 0.1042 Fecal scorecumulative (1 = normal, 5 = watery) 1 2.67 2.72 0.05 0.5186 2 2.45 2.460.04 0.9194 3 2.25 2.21 0.05 0.5606 4 2.10 2.05 0.06 0.5425 5 2.00 1.960.06 0.6592 6 1.85 1.82 0.05 0.6764 7 1.77 1.76 0.04 0.9699 8 1.70 1.690.04 0.9285 Total abnormal fecal scores (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.036.53 0.27 0.1989 2 3.39 3.39 0.43 0.9995 3 0.74 0.21 0.22 0.0983 4 0.720.66 0.30 0.8851 5 0.72 0.71 0.27 0.9797 6 0.04 0.00 0.03 0.4110 7 0.550.42 0.23 0.6949 8 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.7976 Total abnormal fecal scorescumulative (abnormal >2 fecal score) 1 6.03 6.53 0.27 0.1989 2 9.42 9.920.56 0.5298 3 10.16 10.13 0.67 0.9720 4 10.89 10.79 0.83 0.9360 5 11.6011.50 0.88 0.9333 6 11.64 11.50 0.88 0.9110 7 12.19 11.92 0.86 0.8262 812.22 11.97 0.86 0.8370 Body condition score changes (1 = thin, 5 =obese) Initial Score 2.09 2.05 0.03 0.4633 Change 0 to 2 wk 0.01 0.040.03 0.5396 Change 0 to 4 wk 0.22 0.30 0.03 0.0804 Change 0 to 6 wk 0.380.37 0.05 0.9035 Change 0 to 8 wk 0.57 0.59 0.05 0.7980 Change 2 to 4 wk0.21 0.26 0.03 0.2482 Change 4 to 6 wk 0.16 0.07 0.03 0.0677 Change 6 to8 wk 0.20 0.22 0.03 0.5743 Hip width changes, cm Initial Width 17.7817.63 0.19 0.5810 Change 0 to 2 wk 0.20 0.33 0.08 0.2591 Change 0 to 4wk 1.16 1.26 0.11 0.5238 Change 0 to 6 wk 2.19 2.39 0.15 0.3381 Change 0to 8 wk 3.67 3.75 0.21 0.7758 Change 2 to 4 wk 0.96 0.92 0.08 0.7362Change 4 to 6 wk 1.03 1.14 0.09 0.3941 Change 6 to 8 wk 1.48 1.36 0.110.4559 ^(a)When P Values were lower than .1, treatment C was differentthan treatments A and B.

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus forcarrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments ofthis invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may bemade in either without departing from the scope of the invention, whichis defined in the appended claims.

1. A neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition for treating orreducing the likelihood of dehydration in a neonatal bovine mammal, saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition comprising a source ofnutrients, said nutrients including crude protein from a milk proteinsource and electrolytes, wherein said nutrients include dextrans havingat least two different saccharides in an effective amount for treatingor reducing the likelihood of dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammalthrough administration thereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition includes an amount of dextrans that is greaterthan an amount of any other of said nutrients; wherein said dextransincludes a majority of maltodextrins relative to other saccharidestherein; and said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionproviding enough energy and protein to maintain a body weight and growthof said neonatal bovine mammal; and wherein said source of nutrientscomprises: about 50 to 60% dextrans; about 10 to 20% bicarbonate ofsoda; about 1 to 10% sodium; and about 1 to 10% potassium; wherein saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition is administered to saidneonatal bovine mammal to treat or reduce dehydration in said neonatalbovine mammal.
 2. A neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition fortreating or reducing the likelihood of dehydration in a neonatal bovinemammal, said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition comprisinga source of nutrients, said nutrients including crude protein from amilk protein source and electrolytes, wherein said nutrients includedextrans having at least two different saccharides in an effectiveamount for treating or reducing the likelihood of dehydration in saidneonatal bovine mammal through administration thereof, wherein saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition includes an amount ofdextrans that is greater than an amount of any other of said nutrients;wherein said dextrans includes a majority of maltodextrins relative toany other saccharide therein; and said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition providing enough energy and protein tomaintain a body weight and growth of said neonatal bovine mammal, andwherein said dextrans includes a mixture of maltodextrins and dextrose;wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition isadministered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat or reducedehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 3. The neonatal bovinemammal physiological composition of claim 2, wherein said mixtures ofmaltodextrins and dextrose includes about 35 to 45% maltodextrins andabout 10 to 20% dextrose.
 4. A neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition for treating or reducing the likelihood of dehydration in aneonatal bovine mammal, said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition comprising a source of nutrients, said nutrients includingcrude protein from a milk protein source and electrolytes, wherein saidnutrients include dextrans having at least two different saccharides inan effective amount for treating or reducing the likelihood ofdehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal through administrationthereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionincludes an amount of dextrans that is greater than an amount of anyother of said nutrients; wherein said dextrans includes a majority ofmaltodextrins relative to any other saccharide therein; and saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition providing enough energyand protein to maintain a body weight and growth of said neonatal bovinemammal, and further comprising whey protein concentrate to provide about15% of said crude protein to said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition; wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition is administered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat orreduce dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 5. The neonatalbovine mammal physiological composition of claim 2, wherein saidneonatal bovine mammal is a calf.
 6. The neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition of claim 5, wherein said calf is about threemonths of age or less.
 7. A neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition for treating or reducing the likelihood of dehydration in aneonatal bovine mammal, said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition comprising a source of nutrients, said nutrients includingcrude protein from a milk protein source and electrolytes, wherein saidnutrients include dextrans having at least two different saccharides inan effective amount for treating or reducing the likelihood ofdehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal through administrationthereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionincludes an amount of dextrans that is greater than an amount of anyother of said nutrients; wherein said dextrans includes a majority ofmaltodextrins relative to any other saccharide therein; and saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition providing enough energyand protein to maintain a body weight and growth of said neonatal bovinemammal, and wherein said source of nutrients and electrolytes arepackaged in a sealed container for rehydration prior to feeding saidneonatal bovine mammal physiological composition to said neonatal bovinemammal; wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition isadministered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat or reducedehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 8. The neonatal bovinemammal physiological composition of claim 7, wherein said source ofnutrients are sealed together in a single container.
 9. The neonatalbovine mammal physiological composition of claim 4, further comprisingat least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of anemulsifier, anti-caking agent, one or more amino acids, artificialflavors, vitamins, and a microbial blend.
 10. A neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition for treating or reducing the likelihood ofdehydration in a neonatal bovine mammal, said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition comprising a source of nutrients, saidnutrients including crude protein from a milk protein source andelectrolytes, wherein said nutrients include dextrans having at leasttwo different saccharides in an effective amount for treating orreducing the likelihood of dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammalthrough administration thereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition includes an amount of dextrans that is greaterthan an amount of any other of said nutrients; wherein said dextransincludes a majority of maltodextrins relative to other saccharidestherein; and said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionproviding enough energy and protein to maintain a body weight and growthof said neonatal bovine mammal, and further comprising an emulsifier,wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition isadministered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat or reducedehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 11. The neonatal bovinemammal physiological composition of claim 10, further comprising atleast one additional agent selected from the group consisting of wheyprotein concentrate, anti-caking agent, one or more amino acids,artificial flavors, vitamins, and a microbial blend.
 12. A neonatalbovine mammal physiological composition for treating or reducing thelikelihood of dehydration in a neonatal bovine mammal, said neonatalbovine mammal physiological composition comprising a source ofnutrients, said nutrients including crude protein from a milk proteinsource and electrolytes, wherein said nutrients include dextrans havingat least two different saccharides in an effective amount for treatingor reducing the likelihood of dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammalthrough administration thereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition includes an amount of dextrans that is greaterthan an amount of any other of said nutrients; wherein said dextransincludes a majority of maltodextrins relative to other saccharidestherein; and said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionproviding enough energy and protein to maintain a body weight and growthof said neonatal bovine mammal, and further comprising an anti-cakingagent; wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition isadministered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat or reducedehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 13. The neonatal bovinemammal physiological composition of claim 12, further comprising atleast one additional agent selected from the group consisting of wheyprotein concentrate, emulsifier, one or more amino acids, artificialflavors, vitamins, and a microbial blend.
 14. A neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition for treating or reducing the likelihood ofdehydration in a neonatal bovine mammal, said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition comprising a source of nutrients, saidnutrients including crude protein from a milk protein source andelectrolytes, wherein said nutrients include dextrans having at leasttwo different saccharides in an effective amount for treating orreducing the likelihood of dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammalthrough administration thereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition includes an amount of dextrans that is greaterthan an amount of any other of said nutrients; wherein said dextransincludes a majority of maltodextrins relative to other saccharidestherein; and said neonatal bovine mammal physiological compositionproviding enough energy and protein to maintain a body weight and growthof said neonatal bovine mammal, and further comprising a microbialblend; wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiological composition isadministered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat or reducedehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.
 15. The neonatal bovinemammal physiological composition of claim 14, further comprising atleast one additional agent selected from the group consisting of wheyprotein concentrate an emulsifier, anti-caking agent, one or more aminoacids, artificial flavors, and vitamins.
 16. A neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition for treating or reducing the likelihood ofdehydration in a neonatal bovine mammal, said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition comprising a source of nutrients, saidnutrients including comprising crude protein from a milk protein sourceand electrolytes, wherein said nutrients include dextrans having atleast two different saccharides in an effective amount for treating orreducing the likelihood of dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammalthrough administration thereof, wherein said neonatal bovine mammalphysiological composition includes an amount of dextrans that is greaterthan an amount of any other of said nutrients and electrolytes; whereinsaid dextrans includes a majority of maltodextrins relative to othersaccharides therein; and said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition providing enough energy and protein to maintain a bodyweight and growth of said neonatal bovine mammal, and further comprisingbetween about 50-60% dextrans and said milk protein source to provideabout 15% crude protein to said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition; wherein said neonatal bovine mammal physiologicalcomposition is administered to said neonatal bovine mammal to treat orreduce dehydration in said neonatal bovine mammal.